An Unexpected Development

When Ginny arrived at the studio late the next morning, she found a long box perched neatly on the doorstep. There was no note attached or anything to indicate who it had come from, so she picked it up with a puzzled glance and brought it inside.

Setting it down on the counter, she all but forgot it as she got caught up in the flurry of owls that began to arrive just moments later. People wanting to know her availability for their child’s wedding, people wanting her opinion on another photographer (which she always thought was rather rude), yet others who were waiting impatiently for the albums she was putting together.

Gathering the pile of owled parchments in front of her, she waved a dismissive hand over them and headed to the local shop to grab a late brunch.

Upon her return, she spotted the box. Shoving a piece of toast in her mouth, she undid the silver and green ribbons affixed to it and almost choked on her breakfast.

Inside was a dozen gold and red long stemmed roses. They were absolutely breathtaking. Gold roses were a rarity, even in the wizarding world, and very, very expensive. Six of each colour sat in the box and Ginny knew immediately that this particular bunch of flowers must have cost a small fortune.

Only one wizard Ginny was acquainted with could afford such extravagance.

Draco Malfoy.

A small note sat on top with a sealed piece of parchment next to them. She picked up the note and unfolded it.

Virginia,

Please do accept my apologies for my recent behaviour. I hope you will reconsider my offer; I believe that your photographs will be an asset to the catalogue.

I have enclosed a contract for you to look at. If you are willing to discuss it, I have made reservations for us to dine at the Golden Sphinx at 8pm sharp tonight.

Please owl me a response at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Draco Malfoy

Ginny blinked rapidly a few times. The tone of the note was decidedly more relaxed than his previous one.

She ran her fingertips over the contract. She didn’t really need to look at it; she knew Draco paid twenty five thousand galleons for three months work. Twenty five thousand galleons… visions of what she could do with that danced in Ginny’s head. It would be wonderful to be out of debt and get a head start on her future.

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take the contract. Draco had, by his actions, proved he might be willing to meet her halfway. And it was not as if he’d be around her constantly; she knew he was a very busy wizard.

Ginny swallowed her pride and broke open the seal, unravelling the parchment.

What she saw made her eyes widen and almost caused her to fall off the stool she was perched on.

He wasn’t offering her twenty five thousand galleons. He was offering fifty thousand.

---

Draco scrawled his signature on the stack of parchments before him, periodically dipping his quill in the pot of black ink next to his right hand.

He’d been steadily signing away when the beautiful owl swooped through the window, landing gracefully on his table and holding out its leg. Normally, he’d have shooed it off his desk, but he recognised this owl. This one belonged to Ginny Weasley.

As soon as he’d removed the note, the owl flew back out the window, so obviously a response wasn’t required.

Draco wondered why he really wanted the note to say she’d meet him.

Draco,

Thank you for the flowers, they’re beautiful. And very expensive. You really shouldn’t have.

Your apology is accepted and I am willing to put it behind us and start afresh. I have read over the terms of the contract and would like to meet with you to discuss them. I will join you for dinner.

See you at eight.

Virginia.

Draco could not hide the slow smirk that crossed his face. Not only was she going to meet him, but they were now on a first name basis. The flowers had been an excellent move. He had to remember to give Niles a raise one of these days. Sending them in Gryffindor colours, wrapped in a Slytherin bow, had been a nice touch. He doubted she’d picked up on the subtle analogy.

If he played his cards right, this might just be an interesting night. One might even say explosive. He chuckled at his own wit. Still sharp as ever.

---

Ginny paced around the studio. She needed to talk to someone. Ever since she’d sent Cloudbuster out with the note to Draco, she wished she hadn’t. Somebody needed to tell her she was mad.

Somebody with a cool head for logic.

Hermione.

With a deciding nod, she closed up the studio and headed for the Potter residence.

---

Knocking quietly in case Ellie was asleep, Ginny waited until the door swung open and was surprised to find herself being greeted by Harry.

“Hey, Gin,” he said, kissing her cheek as she entered the house. “What brings you here?”

“Hi, Harry,” she smiled back. “I wanted a quick word with Hermione. I didn’t expect you’d be home.”

“Ellie’s not well, we had a bad night with her. I think she’s coming down with something,” Harry explained as they moved into the kitchen. He waved a hand at the kettle and it turned itself on. “Hermione was up most of the night with her so I stayed home so she could get some sleep.”

“Oh,” Ginny tried to hide her disappointment. “Is she in bed, then?”

“No, I’m here,” Hermione walked in, her hair damp. “I just got out of the shower. Hi, Gin.”

She went over to her husband and kissed him, then grabbed three cups out of the cupboard.

Harry placed an arm around her waist and pulled her back to him, kissing her firmly. “How are you feeling?” he asked in a quiet tone, although not quiet enough that Ginny didn’t hear him.

She watched as Hermione reassured him she was fine, just tired, and for a few seconds, they stared at each other adoringly. It always made Ginny sigh happily to watch them, although it also served as a reminder that her love life was less than successful. But the way that Harry and Hermione… glowed around each other wasn’t hard to see. They were completely in love and not afraid to show it, and now they had a daughter to complete their family. Ginny hoped that, one day, she’d find someone who looked at her the way Harry looked at Hermione.

All of a sudden, a loud wail broke the silence, and Harry closed his eyes and rested his head against his wife’s for a moment. Ellie was awake and determined to let the entire neighbourhood know it.

“I’ll go,” Harry said. “Ginny wants to talk to you.” He kissed Hermione one last time, dropped a kiss on Ginny’s head, and disappeared.

Hermione made them both tea and sat down next to Gin. “Is everything okay, Gin?” she asked, blowing gently on the hot liquid before taking a sip.

Ginny let out a long sigh, then told Hermione about her recent encounter with Draco Malfoy. “And then,” she continued on as Hermione sat quietly, trying to take it all in. “I get to work this morning and there was a dozen gold and red roses-”

“Gold?” Hermione interrupted in a shocked voice. “Gold roses? Are you serious? Do you know how expensive they are? Harry bought me one once and it cost him nearly a week’s pay…”

“I know they’re expensive,” Ginny said quietly. “He bought me six of them, and six red ones. He also offered me the contract for the auction.”

Hermione gasped. “Oh, Gin… didn’t you tell me it’s worth twenty five thousand galleons?”

Ginny bit her lip. “He’s not offering me that.”

“What is he offering you?” Hermione asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she sipped on her tea.

“Fifty thousand.”

Hermione could not have looked more surprised if she’d tried. “Fifty… ”

“I know,” Ginny sighed. “I don’t know what to do, Hermione. Fifty thousand galleons is a huge amount of money. Not only would it get me completely out of debt, but I’d have some left over. I could save it for the future.” She picked up her teacup and drank some of the now warm liquid. “He wants to meet for dinner tonight to discuss it.”

Hermione sighed and ran a hand through her hair, which was held back loosely in a ponytail. “I must confess that I find the thought of you working for Draco Malfoy, of all people, to be extremely… ” She trailed off as she tried to find the right word. “Distasteful. Not to mention what your brother would think of it. You know what Ron’s like, and I don’t think the rest of your family would be overjoyed either.” She watched as Ginny’s shoulders sagged. “However, it’s your life, Gin. You’re not a child anymore. If you think you can handle Malfoy and that he has no ulterior motive attached, then take it and his money.”

Ginny’s head tilted slightly to the side. “Ulterior motive?”

“Come on, Ginny,” Hermione said in an exasperated tone. “Don’t tell me it hasn’t crossed your mind he might want more than just your photos.”

“Okay, so it has,” Ginny admitted after a small pause. “But he knows he won’t get anything from me I don’t want to give him. I’ve made that very clear.”

Hermione studied her friend for a long moment, noticing the glint of defiance shining in Ginny’s eyes. “Right, then. You’ve obviously made up your mind. So our biggest question is, what are you going to wear?”

---

Ginny smoothed a hand nervously over her robes as she entered The Golden Sphinx Restaurant. She’d dug her finest robes out of the back of her wardrobe. Worn only once before, the pale blue material had a shimmery quality to it, giving them an almost iridescent glow. Her hair was curly and pinned elegantly to the crown of her head. With a minimal amount of makeup and a silk pale blue purse, she was as ready as she ever would be to face the wizard who had managed to completely turn her world upside down in a few short days.

Taking a deep breath, she walked into the lobby of the restaurant. Surrounding her were a great many witches and wizards, all of whom appeared to give her a once over and dismiss her out of hand. Ginny felt incredibly out of place and, not for the first time that day, wondered if she was doing the right thing.

“Ms. Weasley?”

Ginny snapped out of her reverie and looked up at the wizard who stood before her, obviously the Maitre d’. “Yes?”

“Come this way, please. Mr. Malfoy is waiting for you.”

Ginny nodded and allowed her cloak to be taken from her, then followed dutifully behind as she weaved around tables toward the back of the restaurant.

“How did you know who I was?” she asked curiously.

The Maitre d’ gave no hint of a smile as he answered. “Mr. Malfoy told me to watch out for a beautiful redheaded witch. You were the only one who fit the description.”

Ginny had no chance to respond or ponder his words before she was led into a private room. What she saw took her breath away. One entire wall was glass, and they were looking over a harbour. Lights twinkled around the bay, illuminating the night sky with a rainbow of colours. Placed in the centre near the glass wall was a candlelit table.

Draco stood as she entered, and the Maitre d’ disappeared without a word. Ginny gasped quietly at the sight of him. She couldn’t deny that he was handsome. Wearing tailored black robes that showed his physique perfectly, his platinum hair had been neatly slicked back. He held out a hand to her as she approached the table nervously.

“Good evening, Virginia,” he said formally, taking the hand she offered and bringing it to his lips. He brushed them over her knuckles, then released her hand. “Thank you for agreeing to join me.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” Ginny answered a little breathlessly. She felt a bit dizzy. Sitting down opposite him, she noticed he waited until she was seated before he eased himself back into his chair. At least he had manners when he wanted them.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, an elf appeared to snatch the serviette off the table. He expertly shook it out once and slid it onto her lap before vanishing as quickly as he had arrived. Another elf appeared next to Draco to perform the same task.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting,” Ginny said.

“Not at all. I only just got here.” He picked up the menu sitting in front of him, written in the form of a scroll. He unrolled it and studied the choices on offer. “I was going to order for us both, but then I realised I didn’t know whether there was anything you didn’t eat… ”

Ginny allowed him a small smile. “I’m allergic to fish, actually.”

“Really?” Draco appeared to be very interested. “Have you been so all your life?”

“No, actually. It only developed a few years back. I fell sick when I went to South America from some fish I ate there and haven’t been able to eat it since without becoming violently ill.” Ginny realised she was babbling, but she was extremely nervous.

Draco just smiled, and Ginny noticed he had a nice smile. “Well, no swordfish in lemon sauce for you then!”

Ginny tried to smile but was sure it came out more as a grimace. She opened her menu and studied it intently. Her face paled when she saw the prices of the meals. The main courses were about the price she paid for a week’s worth of groceries.

“Don’t worry about the price,” Draco said, as if reading her thoughts. “Dinner is on me.”

Ginny was determined not to let him have the upper hand before they even started out. “Not at all. I’m more than happy to pay for my own meal.”

Draco cocked an eyebrow. “I invited you along, so I must insist you let me pay, Virginia.”

Ginny pretended to give it great consideration. “Fine, if you insist. Only if you allow me to pay next time.” Her face went the same colour as her hair as soon as she said it. What on earth had she said that for? Who said there would be a next time?

Draco studied her long and hard for a few moments. “I don’t have a problem with that,” he eventually said.

Ginny let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. At least he hadn’t said there wouldn’t be a next time.

“Are you ready to order?”

The Maitre d’s voice was so unexpected that Ginny jumped a little in shock, her hand flying up to her chest. “I’m sorry, Ms. Weasley,” he said smoothly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“That’s quite all right,” she responded. “I didn’t see you arrive, that’s all.”

He nodded and Draco looked at her. “Are you ready?”

Ginny nodded breathlessly and placed her order for pumpkin soup to start, with Chicken Cordon Bleu for her main course. Draco went next, adding the most expensive bottle of white wine to the order. Mere moments later, an elf appeared with the wine. Draco tasted it for approval, then nodded his head. The elf filled their glasses, then disappeared.

They both sipped their wines, trying not to make it obvious they were staring intently at each other.

After long moments passed without talking, Draco finally broke the silence. “Have you read the contract?”

Ginny put down her glass and nodded. “Yes, I’ve read it.”

She saw him wait for her to continue. “And?” he prompted when it didn’t look like she was going to elaborate.

“It’s very… generous,” she admitted softly. “Can I be frank?”

Draco put down his wine and looked at her without blinking. “Please.”

“Everyone knows this contract is worth twenty five thousand galleons, Draco. Why are you offering me double? Do you think you’re going to get something more than photos out of me? Because you can’t buy me, you know.” She stared at him coolly, hoping he understood what she meant so she wouldn’t have to elaborate.

“I am many things, Virginia. Rich. Handsome. Well sought after.” He said all of these things without a trace of hubris. “I don’t need to buy the affections of any witch, even one as beautiful as yourself.” Ginny opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand to stop her. “I can say you’re beautiful because it’s the truth. I find you extremely attractive. If any other witch had implied what you did, I’d be offended. But with you… you have a certain innocence about you. You’re genuinely puzzled.”

Ginny frowned. “I’m not puzzled, as such. I just want to know why I’m being offered more than anyone else.”

“Because I think your photos are worth it. Nothing more, nothing less.” He leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers. “You have a unique talent, Ginny. And I want you to do this catalogue for me, no matter what the price. I believed that offering you what you truly are worth would help convince you to accept my offer.”

Ginny felt as if Draco was gazing into her very soul. She felt naked and defenceless, sitting in such close proximity to him. Something in his eyes told her he was telling the truth. He wouldn’t push her to do anything she didn’t want to do. Trouble was, Ginny wasn’t quite sure that she didn’t want him to do things to her.

She felt a slow blush creep over her face as her thoughts took a decidedly lurid turn. Oh, my God. She was extremely attracted to the wizard who sat a scant distance away from her. If he leaned over right that second and kissed her, she wouldn’t even make an attempt to stop him…

The moment was broken by the appearance of an elf with their first courses. Ginny didn’t know whether to kiss the elf or kill him.

---

Dinner was wonderful. The wine flowed freely, the view was perfect, and the company was, a little surprisingly, extremely charming and witty. All in all, Ginny was having a great time.

After they’d finished off a dessert of fruit and cream, Draco suddenly stood and moved to stand in front of her. He held out a hand to her.

“Dance with me,” he said quietly.

Ginny blinked rapidly, caught by surprise. “I can’t dance,” she said lamely.

Draco laughed. “Of course you can. Everyone can dance, some just don’t know it. Come on.”

Ginny didn’t feel like she could really say no, so she took his hand and allowed him to lead her into the middle of the room, which was clear. As if by magic, the room dimmed, the only light coming from the candles that appeared well above their heads, and soft music began to play in the background. The entire scene was decidedly romantic.

Ginny couldn’t stop herself as Draco pulled her gently into his arms. He curled one arm around her waist and the other took her hand in his. She wanted to feel very uncomfortable about their closeness, but she didn’t. She then tried to mentally blame the wine, but she’d only had one and a half glasses. Hardly enough to be considered drunk.

They swayed together quietly, Ginny slipping her arm around Draco’s neck loosely. They danced for a few songs, not talking, just enjoying the time they were spending with each other.

As the current song came to a close, Ginny pulled away from Draco. This evening was rapidly beginning to look like it was going to end in his bed, and she wasn’t ready for that. Tempting though it may be, it would be extremely foolish - not to mention unprofessional - so with some reluctance, she put an end to the evening.

“I really think I should be heading home now, Draco.”

Draco released her immediately. “Of course, Virginia. It is getting late.”

Ginny didn’t know whether to be taken aback at his willingness to do as she asked or not. He settled the bill – which Ginny was afraid to look at – then helped her put her cloak on. As they got outside, the cold night air hit Ginny like a tonne of bricks. She was grateful she didn’t live too far away.

“Will you let me escort you home?” Draco held out the crook of his arm, his hands tucked inside the pockets of his cloak.

“That’s really not necessary, Draco,” Ginny replied with a warm smile. “I don’t live too far away from here.”

“Then it won’t take long to get home, will it?” He whistled sharply and a carriage crashed to a halt in front of them. The way it appeared reminded Ginny of what Harry had once told her about the Knight Bus.

She stared in amazement at the carriage, but her eyes widened when she saw what was pulling it. Two beautiful, white unicorns stood there, awaiting instructions.

“Oh, my God.” The words slipped from her lips before she could stop them.

“Pretty, isn’t it?” Draco smiled almost smugly as he looked at the carriage. “Worth every knut. I don’t bring it out often, only for special occasions.”

The door to the carriage opened and Draco stepped up into it. “Coming?” he asked, holding out a hand.

There was no way Ginny Weasley was going to miss out on a ride in a carriage such as this, regardless of who owned it. As soon as Draco shut the door, the inside began to warm up, so much so that Ginny no longer felt the cold. He hit the ceiling of the carriage once with the palm of his hand, and it began to rise up into the air.

Ginny could see the unicorns, thanks to the window at the front of the carriage, and she watched as they lifted up above Diagon Alley and into the night sky.

She watched, mesmerised, as they flew through the sky, the city below them and spread out for their view.

“Oh, Draco,” she murmured. She didn’t shy away when he reached out to take her hand in his. Instead, she weaved her fingers through his, squeezing tightly. “This is just beautiful.”

A few beats passed before he answered, his voice low and husky. “You’re beautiful.”

She turned to her right, his face partially obscured by the dark, and looked into his eyes, almost silver eyes that glittered with something she couldn’t quite name.

Ginny found herself unable to resist tilting her head as his lips descended slowly towards hers. When they finally touched, she closed her eyes and shivered.

Draco made no attempt to deepen the kiss; he just pressed his lips against hers. She was warm and soft, and she made him feel like no witch had ever made him feel. His entire body tingled from the contact, and it shocked him enough to make him pull away slightly.

Her eyes were still closed and she slowly opened them, her face flushed. “Wow,” she whispered. “That was-”

“Amazing,” he whispered back. This was not part of the plan; he was not supposed to feel anything for Ginny Weasley. He was supposed to humiliate her for the way she’d treated him, bed her, and dump her. There wasn’t supposed to be any type of … emotion involved.

He hit the top of the carriage once and they descended to the ground, right outside Ginny’s apartment. Draco got out his side and came around to help Ginny out. She pulled the cloak around her, trying to keep the warm in.

“Will you be all right to go in?” he asked her.

Ginny smiled at him, a warm smile that had another strange reaction on him. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for dinner. I had a very nice time.”

“You’re welcome.”

They stared at each other for a few long moments. “When-” Ginny paused to clear her throat. “When do I start?”

Draco was puzzled for a moment as to what she was talking about, but he realised she meant the contract. “Oh. Did you want to come to my office tomorrow so I can show you around? We can work out a schedule then.”

“Is eleven o’clock okay?”

“Eleven o’clock is fine.”

“I’ll see you then. Good night.”

“Good night, Ginny.”

She paused a moment longer, then turned and disappeared into the building before them.

Draco waited until she’d vanished from sight, then heaved himself back into the carriage with a sigh.